Computer system for providing payments, incentives, and fraud protection within or across industries

ABSTRACT

A network includes a platform provider having a centralized operating environment including a combination of hardware, software, and a communication device configured to receive information from a plurality of enterprise networks each configured to independently communicate information to the platform provider. The information includes customer information, device information, requested enrollment or application information, requested transaction information, completed enrollment or application information, or completed transaction information, or a combination thereof. The platform provider is configured to validate and record the information in a secure ledger. The platform provider is further configured to, based on the information, identify incentives, advertisements, or other communications to provide a customer, deliver incentives, advertisements, or other communications to a customer, calculate a fee owed by one enterprise network to one of the platform provider, another enterprise network, or a customer, or assess a probability that a requested consumer, device, enrollment, application, or transaction is fraudulent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationNo. 16/668,607, filed Oct. 30, 2019, which claims the benefit of, andpriority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/753,334, bothentitled COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PAYMENTS, INCENTIVES, AND FRAUDPROTECTION WITHIN OR ACROSS INDUSTRIES, filed Oct. 31, 2018, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present application relates to computerized systems and methods forproviding payments, incentives and/or fraud protection.

2. Description of Related Art

Certain conventional systems require enterprise networks to communicatewith each other directly. It can be difficult to manage suchcommunication, especially when the enterprise networks differ from eachother (e.g. are designed for different industries, or are configured tomeet different standards). Furthermore, tracking communications andtransactions between such enterprise networks can be challenging.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a network includes a platform provider having acentralized operating environment including a combination of hardware,software, and at least one communication device configured to receiveinformation from a plurality of enterprise networks each configured toindependently communicate information to the platform provider. Theinformation includes customer and/or device information, requestedenrollment and/or application information, completed enrollment and/orapplication information, requested transaction information, or completedtransaction information, or a combination thereof. The platform provideris configured to validate and record the information in a secure ledger,and based on the information, the platform provider is furtherconfigured to: identify incentives, advertisements, or othercommunications to provide a customer; calculate a fee owed by oneenterprise network or customer to one of the platform provider oranother enterprise network, or another customer; assess a probabilitythat a device, consumer, enrollment, application, or transaction isfraudulent, suspicious, or includes other attributes that may be trackedby the platform provider (e.g., a likelihood for a payment to bounce, alikelihood of a customer to pay, a likelihood of a customer to returnthe good/service, etc.); deliver or facilitate delivery of incentives,advertisements or other communications to customers within and/or acrossindustries/enterprise networks; or deliver or facilitate delivery ofpayment or other transactions within and/or across industries/enterprisenetworks. The probability may be, for example, a score, a decision, aresponse, an assessment, etc.

In some aspects, the secure ledger comprises a private blockchain.

In some aspects, at least one of the enterprise networks is in adifferent industry than another enterprise network in the network.

In some aspects, the platform provider is configured to, based on theinformation, identify incentives, advertisements, or othercommunications to provide the customer, and validate and record theincentives provided to the customer in the secure ledger. The incentivesinclude, for example, loyalty points, a reward, a coupon, a payment, anadvertisement, a marketing communication, a discount, FIAT currency,digital currency, other form of compensation, an aggregate of aplurality of discounts from one or more of the enterprise networks, orany other suitable incentive or communication.

In some aspects, the information includes attempted or completedenrollment, application, or transaction information. The transactioninformation includes information related to a good or service purchased,or attempted to be purchased, information related to an enrollment orapplication, or request for an enrollment or application, or informationrelated to viewing a good or service.

In some aspects, the platform provider is configured to, based on theinformation, identify incentives, advertisements, or othercommunications to provide the customer. The platform provider is furtherconfigured to receive information regarding whether providing theincentives or the advertisements or the communications to the customerresulted in the customer taking a predetermined action in order toassess or to generate an assessment of an effectiveness of providing theincentives or the advertisements or the communications to the customer.

In some aspects, the platform provider assesses or generates anassessment of the effectiveness of providing the incentives or theadvertisements or the communications to the customer using artificialintelligence and/or machine learning and/or other algorithms.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives or fraudprotection includes providing a network including a platform providercomprising a centralized operating environment including a combinationof hardware, software, and at least one communication device configuredto receive information from a plurality of enterprise networks eachconfigured to independently communicate information to the platformprovider; receiving, at the platform provider, information from at leastone of the enterprise networks, wherein the information comprisescustomer identification and/or device information, requested enrollmentand/or application information, completed enrollment and/or applicationinformation, requested transaction information, or completed transactioninformation, or a combination thereof; validating and recording theinformation in a secure ledger; and based on the information, performingat least one of the following steps: identifying incentives oradvertisements or other communications to provide a customer,calculating a fee owed by one enterprise network or customer to one ofthe platform provider or another enterprise network or a customer, orassessing a probability that a requested device, consumer, enrollment,application, or transaction is fraudulent, suspicious, or includes otherattributes that may be tracked by the platform provider. The probabilitymay be, for example, a score, a decision, a response, an assessment,etc.

In some aspects of the method, the secure ledger comprises a privateblockchain.

In some aspects of the method, at least one of the enterprise networksis in a different industry than another enterprise network in thenetwork.

In some aspects of the method, based on the information, the platformprovider identifies incentives advertisements, or other communicationsto provide the customer, and validates and records the incentivesprovided to the customer in the secure ledger. The incentives include,for example, loyalty points, a reward, a coupon, a payment, anadvertisement, a marketing communication, a discount, FIAT currency,digital currency, other form of compensation, an aggregate of aplurality of discounts from one or more of the enterprise networks, orany other suitable incentive.

In some aspects of the method, the information includes attempted orcompleted enrollment, application, or transaction information. Thetransaction information includes information related to a good orservice purchased, or attempted to be purchased, information related toan enrollment or application, or request for an enrollment orapplication, or information related to viewing a good or service.

In some aspects of the method, based on the information, the platformprovider identifies incentives, advertisements, or other communicationsto provide the customer, the platform provider receives informationregarding whether providing the incentives or the advertisements or thecommunications to the customer resulted in the customer taking apredetermined action, and the platform provider assesses or generates anassessment of an effectiveness of providing the incentives or theadvertisements or the communications to the customer.

In some aspects of the method, the platform provider assesses orgenerates the assessment of the effectiveness of providing theincentives or the advertisements or the communications to the customerusing artificial intelligence and/or machine learning and/or otheralgorithms.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives includes providinga network including a platform provider comprising a centralizedoperating environment including a combination of hardware, software, andat least one communication device configured to receive information froma plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one or more industries(e.g., the same industry or at least two different industries), eachenterprise network configured to independently communicate informationto the platform provider; receiving, at the platform provider,information from at least one of the enterprise networks, wherein theinformation comprises requested transaction information; identifying anaggregate discount for which a customer is eligible for based on therequested transaction information, the aggregate discount comprising atleast one discount provided by at least one of the enterprise networks;providing the customer with the aggregate discount such that a totalamount of a requested transaction may be reduced by an amount of theaggregate discount at the time of the transaction or at the time of asubsequent transaction; and recording the information and the aggregatediscount in a secure ledger. The aggregate discount may be provided inthe form of a rebate, a coupon, a credit, or other discount to be usedon a future transaction. In some examples, the customer may have theoption to save or otherwise accumulate the aggregate discount from eachof a plurality of transactions, and combine the aggregate discounts foruse in a single, future transaction.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives includes providinga network including a platform provider comprising a centralizedoperating environment including a combination of hardware, software, andat least one communication device configured to receive information froma plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one or more industries(e.g., the same industry or at least two different industries), eachenterprise network configured to independently communicate informationto the platform provider; receiving, at the platform provider,information from a first enterprise network regarding a purchase madeusing a mobile application or other interface provided by a secondenterprise network; receiving, at the platform provider, informationfrom the first enterprise network regarding a purchase made using amobile application or other interface provided by a third enterprisenetwork; calculating a fee owed by one enterprise network to one of theplatform provider, the second enterprise network or the third enterprisenetwork based on the information received from the first enterprisenetwork; and recording the information and the calculated fee in asecure ledger. In some examples, the other interface may include, but isnot limited to, a browser on a computer, laptop, tablet, cellular phoneor other communication device; a computer interface; a softwareapplication on a device that is not a mobile device; etc.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives includes providinga network including a platform provider comprising a centralizedoperating environment including a combination of hardware, software, andat least one communication device configured to receive information froma plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one or more industries(e.g., the same industry or at least two different industries), eachenterprise network configured to independently communicate informationto the platform provider; receiving, at the platform provider,information from a first enterprise network regarding a purchase madeusing a mobile application or other interface provided by a secondenterprise network; receiving, at the platform provider, informationfrom a third enterprise network regarding a purchase made using a mobileapplication or other interface provided by the second enterprisenetwork; calculating a fee owed by one enterprise network to one of theplatform provider or the second enterprise network based on theinformation received from the first enterprise network and the thirdenterprise network; and recording the information and the calculated feein a secure ledger. In some examples, the other interface may include,but is not limited to, a browser on a computer, laptop, tablet, cellularphone or other communication device; a computer interface; a softwareapplication on a device that is not a mobile device; etc.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives includes providinga network including a platform provider comprising a centralizedoperating environment including a combination of hardware, software, andat least one communication device configured to receive information froma plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one or more industries(e.g., the same industry or at least two different industries), eachenterprise network configured to independently communicate informationto the platform provider; receiving, at the platform provider,information regarding a first purchase from a first enterprise networkand a second purchase from a second enterprise network, the firstenterprise network and the second enterprise network belonging to one ormore industries (e.g., the same industry or at least two differentindustries); recording the information in a secure ledger; calculating areward earned by a customer based on the first purchase and a rewardearned by a customer based on the second purchase; recording the rewardsin the secure ledger; receiving, at the platform provider, redemptioninformation indicating that the customer used the reward at either thefirst enterprise network, the second enterprise network, or a thirdenterprise network; and recording the redemption information in thesecure ledger to allow the first enterprise network, the secondenterprise network, or the third enterprise network to reconcile arespective position based on the secure ledger.

In some embodiments, a method of providing fraud protection includesproviding a network including a platform provider comprising acentralized operating environment including a combination of hardware,software, and at least one communication device configured to receiveinformation from a plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one ormore industries (e.g., the same industry or at least two differentindustries), each enterprise network configured to independentlycommunicate information to the platform provider; receiving, at theplatform provider, information regarding an enrollment request or atransaction request, the information including transaction informationcomprising location, amount, time, and/or customer informationcomprising a name, address, telephone number, credit card number,payment account number, social security number, driver's license orstate identification number, IP address, SIM number, loyalty accountinformation, credit history, past enrollment or transaction historyand/or bank account number associated with the enrollment request or thetransaction request; assessing a probability, based on past behaviorassociated with the customer information, that the enrollment request orthe transaction request is fraudulent, suspicious or includes otherattributes that may be tracked by the platform provider; and recordingthe information and the probability in a secure ledger. In some aspects,the method of providing fraud protection assessing the probability isperformed using artificial intelligence or machine learning and/or otheralgorithms. The probability may be, for example, a score, a decision, aresponse, an assessment, etc.

In some aspects, the method of providing fraud protection furtherincludes providing at least one enterprise network with the probability,or score, decision, or other response based on an assessment, that theenrollment request or the transaction request is fraudulent, suspicious,or includes other attributes that may be tracked by the platformprovider.

In some aspects, the method of providing fraud protection furtherincludes receiving additional information from the at least oneenterprise network that the enrollment request or the transactionrequest is fraudulent, suspicious, or includes other attributes that maybe tracked by the platform provider; and recording the additionalinformation in the secure ledger. The additional information may bereceived in real-time or may be subsequently received (e.g., theenrollment request or the transaction was subsequently found to befraudulent, suspicious, or include other attributes). Additionalinformation may be provided, for example, by an enterprise network, acredit agency, or the customer. The additional information received inreal-time or subsequent to the enrollment request or transaction may beused by the platform provider to inform decision making algorithms infuture assessments/decisions.

In some embodiments, a method of providing incentives includes providinga network including a platform provider comprising a centralizedoperating environment including a combination of hardware, software, andat least one communication device configured to receive information froma plurality of enterprise networks belonging to one or more industries(e.g., the same industry or at least two different industries), eachenterprise network configured to independently communicate informationto the platform provider; receiving, at the platform provider,information regarding customer behavior, the information includingsocial media activity, articles and/or advertisements viewed, webpagesvisited, apps downloaded or used, goods or services viewed or purchased,location, places visited, demographics, or a combination thereof;assessing a probability, based on the information, that showing atargeted advertisement or other communication to a customer will resultin the customer taking a predetermined action; and recording theinformation and the probability in a secure ledger. In some aspects, themethod of providing incentives, assessing the probability is performedusing artificial intelligence or machine learning. The probability maybe, for example, a score, a decision, a response, an assessment, etc.

In some aspects, the method of providing incentives further includesproviding a customer network with the targeted advertisement or othercommunication.

In some aspects, the method of providing incentives further includesproviding at least one enterprise network with the probability thatshowing a targeted advertisement or other communication to a customerwill result in the customer taking a predetermined action.

In some aspects, the method of providing incentives further includesreceiving action information from the at least one enterprise networkthat the targeted advertisement or other communication resulted in thecustomer taking the predetermined action; and recording the actioninformation in the secure ledger. The action information may be receivedin real-time or subsequent to the customer taking the predeterminedaction. The action information may be used by the platform provider toinform decision making algorithms in future assessments/decisions.

In some embodiments, a network includes a platform provider comprising acentralized operating environment including a combination of hardware,software, and at least one communication device configured to receiveinformation from a plurality of enterprise networks each configured toindependently communicate information to the platform provider. Theinformation comprises enrollment information for a loyalty program for aparty, the enrollment information comprising at least one of: customerinformation comprising a name, an address, a telephone number, a creditcard number, a payment account number, a social security number, adriver's license or state identification number, an internet protocol(IP) address, a subscriber identification module (SIM) number, loyaltyaccount information, at least a portion of a credit history, at least aportion of a past enrollment or transaction history, or a bank accountnumber. The platform provider is configured to: maintain a secureledger; receive a verification request from one of the enterprisenetworks; determine, responsive to receiving the verification request,an assessment for the party using the enrollment information, theassessment indicating that the party is non-fraudulently enrolled in theloyalty program; record the assessment for the party in the secureledger; provide an indication of the assessment to the one of theenterprise networks; receive, from the one of the enterprise networks, arequest to remediate a position of the party relative to the enterprisenetwork, the position of the party relative to the enterprise networkrelating to loyalty points of the loyalty program; remediate theposition of the party relative to the enterprise network; and update thesecure ledger to reflect the remediation.

In some aspects, determining the assessment for the party using theenrollment information comprises determining a probability that theparty is fraudulently enrolled in the loyalty program.

In some aspects, the assessment includes reason codes, and the platformprovider is configured to provide the reason codes to the one enterprisenetwork.

In some aspects, the platform provider is configured to charge a fee tothe one enterprise network for providing an indication of the assessmentto the one of the enterprise networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings are primarily forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinventive subject matter described herein. In the drawings, likereference characters generally refer to like features (e.g.,functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common network including a platformprovider, a plurality of enterprise networks, and respective customernetworks of the customers of each enterprise network.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of a payments, loyalty, and/orincentives platform.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of a payments, loyalty, and/orincentives platform.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third example of a payments, loyalty, and/orincentives platform.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth example of a payments, loyalty, and/orincentives platform.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first example of a credit and/or fraud monitoringplatform.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second example of a credit and/or fraud monitoringplatform.

FIG. 8 illustrates a first example of a marketing data analyticsplatform.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second example of a marketing data analyticsplatform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, a computer system and methods forproviding incentives and fraud protection within or across industries.The phrase “across industries” may refer to industries that aredifferent or distinct from one another in that their primary businessesdo not include overlapping goods/services and/or the goods/services areunrelated or are not directly related. The phrase “across industries”may refer to industries having different and/or non-overlapping StandardIndustrial Classification (SIC) or North American IndustryClassification System (NAICS) codes. In addition, the entities thatcomprise a particular industry may not compete (e.g. directly, orindirectly) with the entities that comprise another industry. It shouldbe appreciated that various concepts introduced above and discussed ingreater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as thedisclosed concepts are not limited to the particular manners ofimplementation described herein. The enterprise networks in the commonnetwork may be in the same industry (e.g., the automotive industry), theenterprise networks in the common network may be from different,unrelated industries (e.g., a beverage retailer, a car insuranceprovider, a clothing designer, etc.), or the enterprise networks in thecommon network may include some enterprise networks that are in the sameindustry and other enterprise networks from different, unrelatedindustries. The enterprise networks may include companies that are notretailers (e.g., consumer packaged goods companies, advertisers,technology providers, etc.). Examples of specific implementations andapplications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1, a common network 1000 includes a platform provider100 configured to manage data received from one or more enterprisenetworks 101. A platform provider is configured to provide a platform,which may be a centralized operating environment including a combinationof any of hardware, software, communication devices, and applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs) configured to receive data/informationfrom different sources. The platform may be configured to manage or runsmaller programs or operations thereunder. An enterprise network may bea publicly owned, state or federal government owned, or privately ownednetwork. For example, the enterprise network may include, but is notlimited to, a merchant network, a retailer network, a consumer packagedgoods (CPG) network, a bank network, a credit card/credit agencynetwork, a point of sale network, a technology company network, etc.Each of the enterprise networks 101 are distinct from each other in thatthey are comprised of distinct computer systems and include at leastsome different protocols, accessibility rules, encryption and/orsecurity. Enterprise networks 101 may further be distinct from oneanother in that they may be owned by different entities such asdifferent companies, corporations, agencies, organizations, businesses,individuals, etc. The common network 1000 may be comprised of enterprisenetworks 101 owned by only one type of entity (i.e., all owned bycompanies), or the common network 1000 may be comprised of enterprisenetworks 101 owned by different types of entities (any combination ofthe entities described above). An enterprise network 101 can include anynetwork components and software, and can vary from a large LAN or WAN toan application on an individual mobile device and components necessaryto allow such a mobile device to function. Each of the one or moreenterprise networks 101 in the common network 1000 has a direct serviceagreement with the platform provider 100. However, enterprise networks101 in the common network 1000 may or may not have a direct serviceagreement with each other. In some examples, a participating enterprisenetwork 101 may know that it is sharing information with anotherenterprise network 101, but may not know the identity of the anotherenterprise network 101. The one or more enterprise networks 101 mayprovide information directly to the platform provider 100, or the one ormore enterprise networks may indirectly provide information to theplatform provider 100 via an Application Programming Interface (API).The common network 1000 may further include one or more customernetworks 102 owned and/or operated by a customer. The customer networks102 may communicate directly with only the respective enterprise network101, with only the platform provider 100, or with both the respectiveenterprise network 101 and the platform provider 100. The platformprovider 100 may also communicate directly with one or more outsideenterprise networks 103 outside of the common network 1000 (e.g.,enterprise networks that do not have an agreement with the platformprovider 100 for participation/membership in the common network 1000).The communication between the platform provider 100, the enterprisenetworks 101, the customer network 102, and/or the outside enterprisenetworks 103 may be one-way or two-way.

The platform provider 100 maintains a secure leger or record for thecommon network 1000. In some examples, the secure ledger or record maybe a private blockchain managed by the platform provider 100. In otherexamples, the secure ledger or record may not include a blockchain. Thesecure ledger or record may be stored only on a centralized networkmanaged by the platform provider 100, or in the case of the privateblockchain, multiple copies of the secure ledger or record may be storedin a peer-to-peer network. In other examples, the secure ledger orrecord may be stored, encrypted, tokenized, etc. in a central server oron a cloud-based server.

A blockchain is a digital ledger in which transactions are recordedchronologically. Blockchain networks are decentralized peer-to-peernetworks, where each node (described in further detail below) typicallymaintains a copy of the digital ledger, as opposed to a digital ledgerbeing stored in only a central server. A private blockchain differs froma public blockchain by limiting who is allowed to participate in theblockchain network. In particular, while anyone may participate in apublic blockchain network, only nodes that are invited and validated bythe platform provider 100 or by a set of rules established by theplatform provider 100 may participate in a private blockchain network.The platform provider 100 may manage the private blockchain networkin-house, utilize a private third-party to manage the privateblockchain, allow participating companies to contribute to themanagement of the private blockchain, or a combination thereof

In general, both public and private blockchains operate using aplurality of nodes (e.g., processors or computing devices such asdesktop computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets or servers) connectedto a network such as a locally partitioned WAN/LAN network. Each node isconfigured to receive information about a requested transaction inreal-time, execute computations to validate the transaction, confirm therecord of previously verified transactions, and store a copy of theblockchain that has been updated in real-time. Transactions may bevalidated, for example, using a consensus protocol, which requires thenodes to agree on the same state of the blockchain. Validatedtransactions are recorded as blocks in the blockchain in real-time, andpreviously recorded blocks cannot be modified. Each block containsinformation about a transaction. At a minimum, the information includesa transaction amount (e.g., a sale amount, an amount of currencytransferred, a number of rewards points accrued, etc.), providerinformation, and recipient information. If the transaction is for goodsor services, the information may also identify the goods or servicespurchased or sold.

The secure ledger or record may be updated in real-time. In someaspects, the one or more enterprise networks 101 may have direct accessto the secure ledger or record that allows the one or more enterprisenetworks 101 to view each entry in the secure ledger or record. In otheraspects, the one or more enterprise networks 101 may not have directaccess to the secure ledger or record, but the platform provider 100 mayprovide a website, GUI or other software application that allows the oneor more enterprise networks 101 to view select information from secureledger or record, or to view a summary or digest of the entries in thesecure ledger or record. In cases where the one or more enterprisenetworks 101 do not have direct access to the secure ledger or record,information regarding the entries of the secure ledger or record may bedelivered by the platform provider 100 to the one or more enterprisenetworks 101 upon request or periodically (e.g., daily, weekly,bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, etc.). In evenfurther aspects, the platform provider 100 may provide the customernetworks 102 access to the website, GUI or other software applicationthat allows the one or more customer networks 102 to view selectinformation from the secure ledger or record, or to view a summary ordigest of the entries in the secure ledger or record.

The secure ledger or record may include one or more smart contracts,which are embedded computer programs that contain rules, algorithms, orprocesses that automatically run based on the information that isreceived and/or recorded into the secure ledger or record. In someaspects, when information is received by the secure ledger or record,the information may be automatically utilized as input into one or moreother processes or computations. The output of those processes orcomputations may also be recorded in the secure ledger or record. Forexample, a platform provider may assess an enrollment or transactionrequest and record that assessment. Subsequently, the platform providermay receive additional information that the same enrollment ortransaction was subsequently deemed fraudulent. The receipt of suchadditional information may trigger the platform provider to update itsassessment protocols for future enrollment and/or transaction requests.

Although two enterprise networks 101 are illustrated in FIG. 1, anynumber of companies may participate in the common network 1000. In someaspects, the common network 1000 includes a plurality of enterprisenetworks 101, where each enterprise network 101 is aware of theidentities of the other enterprise networks 101 in the common network1000, and has a service agreement with the other enterprise networks 101in the common network 1000. In other aspects, the common network 1000includes a plurality of enterprise networks 101, where the enterprisenetworks 101 do not have service agreements with one another. When theenterprise networks 101 do not have service agreements with one another,the enterprise networks 101 may be aware of the identities of the otherenterprise networks 101 in the common network 1000 or may not be awareof the identities of the other enterprise networks 101 in the commonnetwork (i.e., only the platform provider 100 is aware of all of theenterprise networks 101 participating in the common network 1000). Thereare a number of benefits to the enterprise networks 101 participating inthe common network 1000 managed by the platform provider 100 andcommunicating via the platform provider 100, as opposed to directlycommunicating with another enterprise network 101. For example, thecommon network 1000 allows for a lower cost, less use of resources, andfriction or hassle, as there is no need for each enterprise network 101to enter into a contract or service agreement with a plurality of otherenterprise networks 101. Instead, each enterprise network only has toenter into a single service agreement (e.g., with the platform provider100), although each enterprise network may optionally enter into morethan a single service agreement. The platform provider 100 serves as atrusted, independent third-party. This allows for enterprise networks101 to maintain anonymity and participate in/take advantage of benefitswithout having to reveal to all of the other enterprise networks 101that they are involved. Moreover, the platform provider 100 can protectdata and ensure that the proprietary information/data of one enterprisenetwork 101 is protected from other enterprise networks 101 in thecommon network 1000.

In the following examples, the platform provider 100 provides apayments, loyalty, and incentive platform, a credit and fraud monitoringplatform, or a marketing data analytics platform to the enterprisenetworks 101 in the common network 1000. The examples andimplementations may be combined such that the platform provider 100provides a payments, loyalty, and incentive platform; a credit and fraudmonitoring platform; and a marketing, data, and analytics platform tothe enterprise networks 101 in the common network 1000. The examples andimplementations may also be combined such that the platform provider 100provides any two of a payments, loyalty, and incentive platform; acredit and fraud monitoring platform; or a marketing data analyticsplatform to the enterprise networks 101 in the common network 1000. Thesecure ledger or record in each of Examples 1-8 may or may not include aprivate blockchain.

Payments, Loyalty, and/or Incentives Platforms

In one example, the platform provider 100 provides a payments, loyalty,and incentive platform to the enterprise networks 101 in the commonnetwork 1000. Using the platform, various commercial arrangements aremade to transfer goods, services, currency, cryptocurrency, incentives,or other items between the enterprise networks 101 that participate inthe common network 1000 based on activity that occurs within the commonnetwork 1000. All arrangements, activities, and dependent actions may beverified, accounted for, and facilitated by the platform provider'ssecure ledger or record. Particular examples of the setup and operationof the payments, loyalty, and incentive platform will be described inthe examples below. Incentives include, for example, loyalty points, areward, a coupon, a payment, an advertisement, a marketingcommunication, a discount, FIAT currency, digital currency, other formof compensation, an aggregate of a plurality of discounts from one ormore of the enterprise networks, or any other suitable incentive orcommunication that promotes a desired action to be taken.

EXAMPLE 1: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED CROSS-COMPANY TRANSACTIONSAND/OR INCENTIVES

In Example 1, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and two participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a Fuel Retailer“A” and an Insurance Retailer “B.” The term “retailer” is used as anexample, but the enterprise networks 101 may include companies that arenot retailers (e.g., consumer packaged goods companies, advertisers,technology providers, etc.). Agreements are made between the FuelRetailer “A” and the Insurance Retailer “B” such that when a customertakes a predetermined action, one of the Fuel Retailer “A” or theInsurance Retailer “B” will provide the other of the Fuel Retailer “A”or the Insurance Retailer “B” with an incentive. In some aspects, theone of the Fuel Retailer “A” or the Insurance Retailer “B” may alsoprovide the customer with an incentive. The predetermined action may be,for example, making a transaction, purchasing a predetermined good orservice, redeeming a coupon, signing up for a mailing list, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2, in step S1, the customer takes the predeterminedaction, which for illustrative purposes in Example 1, is using theInsurance Retailer “B”'s application or rewards card to buy gas at theFuel Retailer “A”. In step S2, information regarding the predeterminedaction (i.e., transaction) is provided to the platform provider's secureledger or record, verified, and recorded in the platform provider'ssecure ledger or record, which may or may not include a privateblockchain. For purposes of discussion, the secure ledger or record willbe referred to as a private blockchain, but any other secure ledger orrecord may be used instead of the private blockchain. The correspondingincentive is calculated and recorded in the private blockchain,including information regarding the incentive amount, providerinformation, and/or recipient information. In other words, each of FuelRetailer “A” and Insurance Retailer “B”'s net position with respect toeach other is calculated and logged in the private blockchain. Step S2occurs in real-time when the transaction from step Si is processed. Instep S3, the Fuel Retailer “A” provides the Insurance Retailer “B” withan incentive (e.g., a referral fee). In an optional step S4 (which maybe omitted), the Fuel Retailer “A” may also provide the customer with anincentive (e.g. a coupon or rewards points) through the InsuranceRetailer “B”'s application or rewards card. Step S3 may occur on aperiodic basis or according to any agreements between the Fuel Retailer“A”, the Insurance Retailer “B”, and/or the Platform Provider on how andwhen the parties will reconcile their positions. In step S5, theplatform provider's private blockchain receives information regardingpayment of the incentive (e.g., when the Fuel Retailer “A” pays thereferral fee to the Insurance Retailer “B”), validates, and records theinformation in the private blockchain. In an optional step S6 (which maybe omitted), the platform provider's private blockchain receivesinformation regarding a customer's use of an incentive (e.g., when thecustomer uses the coupon in the Insurance Retailer “B” application),validates, and records the information in the private blockchain. In anoptional step S7 (which may be omitted), the Fuel Retailer “A” and theInsurance Retailer “B” reconcile their positions with respect to theconsumer's use of the incentive.

Recording a position between two parties can refer to recording abalance of a quantity (e.g., of loyalty points, FIAT currency, digitalcurrency, or other form of compensation) between the two parties. Thebalance can indicate that one party owes another party a certain amountof the quantity. In some embodiments, the balance can be unconditional.In other embodiments, the balance is conditional on one or morepredetermined conditions occurring and/or being verified. Reconciling orremediating a position can refer to transferring an amount of thequantity that matches the balance from one of the parties to another ofthe parties (e.g., debiting an account of one of the parties, andcrediting an account of the other of the parties).

In Example 1, the delivery of incentives is tied to a predeterminedaction taken by the customer. However, in other examples, the deliveryof the incentives may not be tied to the predetermined action. Forexample, the Fuel Retailer “A” and the Insurance Retailer “B” may havean agreement to pay each other a periodic flat fee (e.g., monthly fee)if a minimum threshold of activities are performed. Additionally, thepredetermined action or the payment of the incentives do not require anapplication (e.g., mobile application). In other examples, othertechnologies or mechanisms can be used (e.g., websites, physical cards,other payment or loyalty tenders, etc.).

In Example 1, the platform provider may allow one enterprise network toprovide consumer incentives in another enterprise network's applicationor website, and/or may allow one enterprise network's application orwebsite to be used at another enterprise network. Certain conventionalsystems do not allow for providing incentives across networks, and arenot able to track, manage, and update use of the incentives inreal-time. The features described herein can provide for such incentivesby, for example, leveraging the platform provider 100 to maintain asecure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks 101 to theplatform provider 100. The benefits of the process described in Example1 include cross-enterprise network promotion, which may result in moreenrollments and transactions. There is a cost savings passed on to thecustomers (the application/tender growth may be subsidized by otherenterprise networks), as well as a new monetization opportunity for theenterprise network's application or website. There is a new marketingchannel for the enterprise network providing the incentive and anopportunity to capitalize on increased scale and growth. Moreover, thereis an instant accounting, reconciliation, and settlement of thepositions of the enterprise networks/customers, a real-time record/proofof all transactions, including the linkages between initial transactionsand subsequent activities across different parties. These features mayfurther reduce hassle, effort, and/or cost for enterprise networksand/or customers. In addition, the platform provider receives additionaldata that may be used to potentially identify ancillary services to beprovided to the participating enterprise networks/customer networks.

EXAMPLE 2: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED CROSS-NETWORK INCENTIVES

In Example 2, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and a plurality of participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a FuelRetailer “A,” an Insurance Retailer “B,” a Grocery Retailer “C,” and aTaxi App “D.” The term “retailer” is used as an example, but theenterprise networks 101 may include companies that are not retailers(e.g., consumer packaged goods companies, advertisers, technologyproviders, etc.). Agreements are made between each of the Fuel Retailer“A,” the Insurance Retailer “B,” the Grocery Retailer “C,” and the TaxiApp “D” such that when a customer purchases a good or service from oneof the enterprise networks 101, the other enterprise networks 101 areable to provide advertising and/or incentives to the customer. Theadvertising and/or incentives may be aggregated.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step S1, the customer takes the predeterminedaction, which for illustrative purposes in Example 2, is initiating atransaction to purchase gas at the Fuel Retailer “A.” In step S2,information regarding the predetermined action (i.e., transaction) isprovided to the platform provider's secure ledger or record, verified,and recorded in the platform provider's secure ledger or record, whichmay or may not include a private blockchain. For purposes of discussion,the secure ledger or record will be referred to as a private blockchain,but any other secure ledger or record may be used instead of the privateblockchain. In step S3, the platform provider identifies that thecustomer is eligible for separate advertisements and/or incentives thatare sponsored by the Insurance Retailer “B”, Grocery Retailer “C”, andTaxi App “D” (e.g., based on the customer's location, behavior,demographics, past behaviors, transaction details, and/or any othersuitable factor). In some examples step S3 may occur before step S1. Instep S4, the discounts are calculated separately, stacked on top of eachother, and delivered to the customer via the customer network 102 inaggregate, for example, on an application on the customer's mobiledevice (smart phone, tablet, etc.) in real-time or delivered after thetransaction is completed. In step S5, when the customer completes theirtransaction (e.g., finishes pumping gas), the discounts in aggregate maybe automatically subtracted from the final purchase amount, such thatthe purchase amount net of the discounts is charged to the customer'spayment tender. Alternatively, the aggregate discount may be provided inthe form of a rebate, a coupon, a credit, or other discount to be usedon a future transaction. In some examples, the customer may have theoption to save or otherwise accumulate aggregate discounts from each ofa plurality of transactions, and combine the aggregate discounts for usein a single, future transaction. In step S6, all of these activities,and each party's net position, are calculated and logged in the platformprovider's private blockchain. In step S7, on a periodic basis oraccording to any agreements between the enterprise networks 101 and/orthe Platform Provider on how/when the parties will reconcile theirpositions, the Fuel Retailer “A” collects the discount amounts from oneor more of the Insurance Retailer “B,” the Grocery Retailer “C,” and theTaxi App “D.” A discount amount can be collected from each of theInsurance Retailer “B,” the Grocery Retailer “C,” and the Taxi App “D,”or from only the participants whose incentive was actually used by thecustomer. In Step S8, the activities of step S7 are validated andrecorded in the platform provider's private blockchain. If the aggregatediscount is received in real-time, the accounting is logged such thatthe parties can reconcile who owes what to whom after the transaction(e.g., immediately after or after a predetermined period of time). Ifthe aggregate discount is subsequently received, the customer has areceivable asset that can be later cashed in. The effective payableliability can be recorded in the secure ledger or record. The enterprisenetworks can reconcile their positions at that time or after thecustomer cashes in the aggregate discount.

In cases in which advertisements are being aggregated instead ofdiscounts, advertisements may be displayed to the customer through theirpayment mechanism (e.g., a mobile application or other interface such asa point-of-sale terminal). The act of displaying the advertisementswould be recorded in the secure ledger or record, and the enterprisenetworks would reconcile who pays what to whom based on the recordedactions.

In Example 2, the platform provider allows one or more enterprisenetworks to provide incentive through another enterprise network'sapplication or website. These incentives can be stacked on top of eachother and delivered to the consumer in aggregate. Certain conventionalsystems do not allow for providing incentives across networks, and arenot able to track, manage, and update use of the incentives inreal-time. The features described herein can provide for such incentivesby, for example, leveraging the platform provider 100 to maintain asecure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks 101 to theplatform provider 100. The benefits of the process described in Example2 include cross-enterprise network promotion, which may result in moreenrollments and transactions. There is a cost savings passed on to thecustomers (the application/tender growth may be subsidized by otherenterprise networks), as well as a new monetization opportunity for theenterprise network's application or website. There is a new marketingchannel for the enterprise network providing the incentive and anopportunity to capitalize on increased scale and growth. Moreover, thereis an instant accounting, reconciliation, and settlement of thepositions of the enterprise networks/customers, a real-time record/proofof all transactions, including the linkages between initial transactionsand subsequent activities across different parties. These features mayfurther reduce hassle, effort, and/or cost for enterprise networksand/or customers. In addition, the platform provider receives additionaldata that may be used to potentially identify ancillary services to beprovided to the participating enterprise networks/customer networks.

EXAMPLE 3: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED OPEN-LOOP TRANSACTIONS/REFERRALNETWORK

In Example 3, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and a plurality of participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a FuelRetailer “A,” an Insurance Retailer “B,” and a Grocery Retailer “C.” Theterm “retailer” is used as an example, but the enterprise networks 101may include companies that are not retailers (e.g., consumer packagedgoods companies, advertisers, technology providers, etc.). Eachenterprise network 101 enters into an agreement with the platformprovider 100, where they will each pay and earn referral fees based oncertain actions. For example, the Fuel Retailer “A” agrees to pay areferral fee to the platform provider 100 for each customer that buysgas at the Fuel Retailer “A” using the application or other interface ofany other enterprise network 101 in the common network 1000. Similarly,the platform provider 100 agrees to provide a commission fee to anyenterprise network 101 in the common network 1000 that allows theirapplication to be used at another enterprise network 101 in the commonnetwork 1000. The platform provider 100 retains a network fee (e.g., adifference between the referral fee less the commission fee) forfacilitating these services. The enterprise networks 101 in the commonnetwork 1000 may or may not have agreements with each other. Theenterprise networks 101 may keep their transactional activity anonymous.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step S1, a first customer purchases a good orservice provided by a first enterprise network 101 using a secondenterprise network's mobile application, and a second customer purchasesa good or service provided by the first enterprise network 101 using athird enterprise network's mobile application or other interface. Forexample, a customer uses the Insurance Retailer “B” application to buygas at the Fuel Retailer “A,” and another customer uses the GroceryRetailer “C” application to buy gas at the Fuel Retailer “A.” Thetransactions occur in the common network 1000 and in step S2, arevalidated/recorded in real-time in the platform provider's secure ledgeror record, which may or may not include a private blockchain.

For purposes of discussion, the secure ledger or record will be referredto as a private blockchain, but any other secure ledger or record may beused instead of the private blockchain. In Step S3, the referral feesfor each transaction are also calculated, validated, and recorded inreal-time in the platform provider's private blockchain. Each party'snet position with each other (i.e., the platform provider 100 withrespect to the enterprise networks 101, and the enterprise networks 101with respect to one another) is calculated, validated and recorded inthe blockchain in real-time. In Step S4, on a periodic basis or how/whenagreed between the platform provider 100 and the enterprise networks101, the platform provider 100 will reconcile the net position of eachenterprise network 101 in the common network 1000. In Step S5, thereconciled positions are validated and recorded in the privateblockchain. Every action is validated according to a consensus protocolthat cannot be disputed by any party, while allowing the enterprisenetworks 101 to remain anonymous to each other if they so choose. Forexample, while the Fuel Retailer “A” will know that it had 2 referraltransactions, the Fuel Retailer “A” may not know which enterprisenetworks 101 they are from. While the Insurance Retailer “B” and theGrocery Retailer “C” would each know that they are due 1 commission fee,the Insurance Retailer “B” and the Grocery Retailer “C” may not knowthat the commission fee is coming from the Fuel Retailer “A” or that theother company is also receiving a commission. This anonymity enables allof the enterprise networks 101 to benefit from the scale of the commonnetwork 1000, without having to share customer, transactional, or otherdata with the other enterprise networks 101. The platform provider 100serves as a trusted third party facilitating these transactions.

In Example 3, the platform provider facilitates an open-looptransactions network where each participating enterprise network'sapplication or website may be used to transact at another enterprisenetwork within the common network. Certain conventional systems do notallow for managing transactions anonymously across networks. Thefeatures described herein can provide for managing such anonymoustransactions by, for example, leveraging the platform provider 100 tomaintain a secure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks101 to the platform provider 100. The transactions may be loggedanonymously. The benefits of the process described in Example 3 includea cost savings for the enterprise network where the transaction occurs(more coverage/potential transactions at lower cost), revenue for anenterprise network's application that is used in the transaction (e.g.,the enterprise network may get a portion of the processing fee), and theability for all enterprise networks to capitalize on a network scale,while protecting the brand/proprietary data from other networks (ifanonymous). In addition, the platform provider receives additional datathat may be used to potentially identify ancillary services to beprovided to the participating enterprise networks/customer networks

EXAMPLE 4: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED CROSS-NETWORK LOYALTY PROGRAM

In Example 4, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and a plurality of participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a FuelRetailer “A,” an Insurance Retailer “B,” and a Grocery Retailer “C.” Theterm “retailer” is used as an example, but the enterprise networks 101may include companies that are not retailers (e.g., consumer packagedgoods companies, advertisers, technology providers, etc.). Eachenterprise network 101 agrees to participate in a cross-network loyaltyprogram managed by the platform provider 100 such that a customer canearn “points” (or similar concept such as miles or tokens) at anyenterprise network 101 in the common network 1000, and redeem “points”(or similar concept) at any other enterprise network 101 in the commonnetwork 1000. The value of a “point” may be established for eachenterprise network 101 separately, and tied to currency such as fiatcurrency (e.g., USD). The point-to-fiat currency conversion tables,which may be static or dynamic, are validated and recorded in theplatform provider's secure ledger or record, enabling a fairdetermination of point values for earning and redeeming. The secureledger or record may or may not include a private blockchain. Forpurposes of discussion, the secure ledger or record will be referred toas a private blockchain, but any other secure ledger or record may beused instead of the private blockchain.

Referring to FIG. 5, for example, in Step S1, a customer buys insuranceat the Insurance Retailer “B,” and then buys gas at the Fuel Retailer“A.” The transactions occur in the common network 1000 and in step S2,are validated and recorded in the platform provider's privateblockchain. In Step S3, the number of points earned by the customer, thefiat value of the points (i.e., how much each enterprise network 101 hasto pay), and each party's net position with respect to each other iscalculated, validated and recorded in the platform provider's privateblockchain. In Step S4, the customer may then redeem the points at anyof the enterprise networks 101, for example, by buying groceries at theGrocery Retailer “C.” In step S5, the redemption of the points, and thecorresponding fiat values of the points (i.e., the respective payablepositions of the Insurance Retailer “B” and the Fuel Retailer “A” to theGrocery Retailer “C”) are calculated, validated and recorded in theplatform provider's private blockchain. In Step S6, the settlement ofthese transactions may be instant, on a periodic basis, or how/when theparties have agreed to reconcile their positions. In Step S7, thereconciled positions are validated and recorded in the platformprovider's private blockchain. The platform provider 100 acts as atrusted third party to manage/facilitate the program on behalf of all ofthe enterprise networks 101.

In Example 5, the platform provider facilitates a cross-merchant loyaltyprogram, allowing customers to earn and redeem points/awards acrossparticipating enterprise networks in the common network. Certainconventional systems do not allow for providing incentives acrossnetworks, and are not able to track, manage, and update use of theincentives in real-time. The features described herein can provide forsuch incentives by, for example, leveraging the platform provider 100 tomaintain a secure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks101 to the platform provider 100. Benefits of this system/processinclude transaction growth across the network, fair determination ofpoint values for earning/redeeming, and instant accounting,reconciliation, and settlement of positions and payments with respect toall parties. In addition, the platform provider receives additional datathat may be used to potentially identify ancillary services to beprovided to the participating enterprise networks/customer networks

In each of Examples 1-4 discussed above, the use of the platformprovider's private blockchain allows for the real-time record/proof ofall transactions, instant accounting of all activities andabsolute/relative positions of the companies with respect to oneanother, and instant calculation and reconciliation oftransfers/exchanges of value across different currencies (e.g., points,currencies, etc.). The platform provider's private blockchain allows forthe accurate recordation of multiple, complex arrangements acrossmultiple companies, a linking and tracking of an initial transaction(predetermined action) and subsequent activities across multiplecompanies. Information regarding specific transaction information may bevisible to all applicable parties, or visible to only the platformprovider. In other words, the platform provider's private blockchain mayprovide a trusted and neutral way to enable cross-party exchangesanonymously (e.g., without each party having to maintain contractualrelationships or disclose all data with all other parties). Use of thecommon network 1000 also results in lower friction and costs oftransaction processing and accounting. The common network 1000accelerates growth and/or lowers costs for participating enterprisenetworks 101.

Credit and Fraud Monitoring Platforms

In another example, the platform provider 100 provides a credit andfraud monitoring platform to the enterprise networks 101 in the commonnetwork 1000 using the platform provider's secure ledger or record,which may or may not include a private blockchain. The platform provider100 has agreements with each enterprise network 101 in the network. Theindividual enterprise networks 101 may or may not have direct agreementswith each other. All activity that occurs within the common network 1000may be verified, accounted for, and facilitated by the platformprovider's secure ledger or record. The platform provider 100 uses theinformation recorded in the secure ledger or record provided by each ofthe enterprise networks 101 in the common network 1000 to assess risk orgenerate an assessment of risk, monitor fraud or suspicious activity,make credit decisions, or take other actions. In some aspects, only theenterprise networks 101 that are part of the common network 1000 (i.e.,“participating enterprise networks”) may contribute information to thesecure ledger or record, or request that the platform provider 100provide a credit and/or fraud assessment. In other aspects, enterprisenetworks that are not part of the common network 1000 (i.e., enterprisenetworks that do not have an agreement with the platform provider 100)may also contribute information to the secure ledger or record, orrequest that the platform provider 100 provide a credit and/or fraudand/or other assessment. With regard to transactions, the term “fraud”or “fraudulent” includes suspicious, questionable, or high-riskactivities that may indicate, for example, that the person or entityinitiating the transaction is being dishonest (e.g., providing false oroutdated information), has insufficient funds or other inability to payfor the transaction on-time or at-all, is unauthorized to initiate thetransaction, is using an unauthorized transaction device, or isotherwise acting in bad faith. In some examples, the term “fraud” or“fraudulent” may include the factors that amount to the legal definitionof “fraud.” In some examples, the term “fraud” or “fraudulent” mayinclude a set of one or more other attributes that may be consideredundesirable suspicious activity, likelihood of default, likelihood ofrepurchasing, can they pay for it—transactionsuccessful/repeatable—other attributes see paragraph 0002—might trackattributes the same across whole platform or specific attributesdepending on what enterprise network wants to track or what the platformprovider determines should be tracked/helpful to be tracked for thatparticular enterprise network vis-à-vis an enrollment/application or atransaction; such attributes may be defined for the entire platform,and/or for specific enterprise networks within a platform, and/or forspecific consumer networks within an enterprise network. Certainconventional systems do not allow for tracking data patterns acrossnetworks, and are not able to optimize detection of possible fraudulentbehavior accordingly. The features described herein can provide for suchtracking and detection by, for example, leveraging the platform provider100 to maintain a secure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprisenetworks 101 to the platform provider 100.

EXAMPLE 5: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED USER/ENROLLMENT VERIFICATIONAND ACCESS TO VERIFICATION/SCORING DATA

In Example 5, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and a plurality of participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a FuelRetailer “A,” an Insurance Retailer “B,” and a Grocery Retailer “C.” Theterm “retailer” is used as an example, but the enterprise networks 101may include companies that are not retailers (e.g., consumer packagedgoods companies, advertisers, technology providers, etc.). The platformprovider 100 establishes rules for making a decision on, or assessingthe identity and/or validity of a customer and/or information providedby the customer and/or device used by the customer. The informationprovided by the customer may be provided, for example, during anenrollment process for a payment tender, loyalty program, or otherapplication. The rules established by the platform provider 100 may bestatic or dynamic. In some examples, the rules may be based onproprietary technology, including machine-learning algorithms and/orartificial intelligence that may be influenced by time, location,geography, demographics, industry, device, identification, personallyidentifiable information, banking or financial information,transactional information, behavioral information, social media, digitalfootprint, past customer, enrollment, or transactional behaviors, orother factors pertaining to a customer and/or an enrollment orapplication. The assessments may take the form of an overall numericscore, a letter grade (e.g., A, B, C, D, or F), an individual score perattribute, a binary (yes/no) decision, or other forms. The rulesestablished by the platform provider 100 may be embedded in the secureledger or record itself, or may be provided in a separate decisionsystem configured to communicate with the secure ledger or record.

Referring to FIG. 6, for example, in a Step S1, the participatingenterprise networks 101 and/or outside enterprise networks 103 provideinformation regarding every customer that enrolls/accesses theenterprise network— whether through Fuel Retailer “A,” InsuranceRetailer “B,” or Grocery Retailer “C”—to the platform provider 100. InStep S2, each enrollment attempt and relevant information (also referredto as “enrollment information” in the context of the enrollment attempt)about the customer received in Step S1 are validated and recorded in theplatform provider's secure ledger or record, which may or may notinclude a private blockchain, and fed into the platform provider'sverification system. For purposes of discussion, the secure ledger orrecord will be referred to as a private blockchain, but any other secureledger or record may be used instead of the private blockchain. Therelevant information may include customer information comprising a name,address, telephone number, credit card number, payment account number,social security number, driver's license or state identification number,IP address, SIM number, loyalty account information, credit history,past enrollment or transaction history and or bank account number orother data that may be collected in an enrollment or application. InStep S3, the platform provider 100 receives a verification request froma participating enterprise network 101 or an outside enterprise network103. In Step S4, the platform provider 100 assesses at least theinformation provided in Step S1 (other information may also beassessed), and develops a verification of that customer and/orenrollment identified in the verification request received in Step S3.The verification may include, for example, a generated assessment of aprobability (e.g., a percentage, a score, a grade, a range, a rating, ayes/no decision, or other suitable value) that the customer and/orenrollment and/or one or more attribute(s) within an enrollment isfraudulent or suspicious or includes other attributes that may betracked by the platform provider. In Step S5, the resultant assessment(or updates to past assessments) of the customer and/or enrollment isalso validated and recorded in real-time in the platform provider'sprivate blockchain. The assessment decisions may be specific to anindividual or aggregated by customer group (e.g., by particularcompany). The information provided may include additional informationincluding, but not limited to, reasons codes or other supporting dataelements corresponding to the overall assessment. The platform provider100 may charge a fee for such access to the requesting party. This feemay be a flat fee or dynamically calculated. Discounted or premiumpricing may be offered based on factors including whether the requestingcompany is one of the enterprise networks 101 within the common network1000, and/or how much information/data the requesting party has suppliedas data inputs to the platform provider's private blockchain. Thecalculation of the fees, access to the results, and settlement of theamounts owed to each party are validated and recorded in the platformprovider's private blockchain. The platform provider 100 may also offera feedback loop such that subsequent activity is sent back to the commonnetwork 1000. This information may be validated and recorded in theplatform provider's private blockchain and fed into the platformprovider's verification system for incorporation into subsequentassessments.

In some examples, in Step S3, the platform provider 100 may receive averification request from one of the enterprise networks 101. Theverification request may be a request to verify a party that has somerecord in a secure ledger maintained by the platform provider 100. Theverification request may be a request to verify that the party isenrolled in a loyalty program. Responsive to receiving the verificationrequest, platform provider 100 may determine an assessment for the partyusing enrollment information accessible to the platform provider 100.The enrollment information may include at least one of: customerinformation comprising a name, an address, a telephone number, a creditcard number, a payment account number, a social security number, adriver's license or state identification number, an internet protocol(IP) address, a subscriber identification module (SIM) number, loyaltyaccount information, at least a portion of a credit history, at least aportion of a past enrollment or transaction history, or a bank accountnumber. The assessment may indicate whether the party isnon-fraudulently enrolled in the loyalty program (e.g., may indicatethat the party is enrolled in the loyalty program, and/or may indicatethat a risk of fraud is below a predetermined threshold). The platformprovider 100 may record the assessment for the party in the secureledger. The platform provider 100 may provide an indication of theassessment to the enterprise network 101 that requested theverification. The platform provider 100 may receive, from the enterprisenetwork 101, a request to remediate a position of the party relative tothe enterprise network 101. The request may be received subsequent tothe platform provider 100 providing the indication of the assessment tothe enterprise network 101, or may be received as part of theverification request. The position of the party relative to theenterprise network 101 may relate to loyalty points of the loyaltyprogram (e.g., may indicate a balance of loyalty points). The platformprovider 100 may remediate the position of the party relative to theenterprise network 101, and update the secure ledger to reflect theremediation. In some example, determining the assessment for the partyusing the enrollment information comprises determining a probabilitythat the party is fraudulently enrolled in the loyalty program (e.g., bydetermining that the risk of fraud is below a predetermined threshold).In some examples, the assessment includes reason codes indicatingsignificant factors that affected the assessment, and the platformprovider is configured to provide the reason codes to the enterprisenetwork 101. In some examples, the platform provider is configured tocharge a fee to the one enterprise network for providing an indicationof the assessment to the one of the enterprise networks.

In some examples, Step S3 is optional and may be omitted (i.e., theplatform provider may carry out Step S4 without receiving a verificationrequest). In some examples, Step S2 may occur after Step S4, forexample, simultaneously with Step S5.

In Example 5, the platform provider may develop user verification scoresbased on information collected across the platform. The platform mayallow other parties (participating or non-participating enterprisenetworks, credit agencies, etc.) to access/query the platform for scoresand/or decisions, and may charge a fee for such access. The fee may bestatic or dynamic, and discounts/premiums may be applied based on volumeor other factors. The system/process of Example 5 provides an enterprisenetwork with the platform provider's advantaged decision making system.High volume participants may be incentivized to provide data (e.g., themore data a party provides to the platform provider, the deeper thediscount may be for accessing the resultant scores). Moreover, betterdevice, enrollment/application, and customer verification assessmentsresult in better approval decisions/user experience (fewerfalse-negative declines) and decreased instances of fraud (lower fraudlosses).

EXAMPLE 6: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED USER/TRANSACTIONS ASSESSMENTAND ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT/SCORING DATA

In Example 6, the common network 1000 includes a platform provider 100and a plurality of participating enterprise networks 101, namely, a FuelRetailer “A,” an Insurance Retailer “B,” and a Grocery Retailer “C.” Theterm “retailer” is used as an example, but the enterprise networks 101may include companies that are not retailers (e.g., consumer packagedgoods companies, advertisers, technology providers, etc.). The platformprovider 100 establishes rules for making a decision on, or assessingthe credit worthiness, value, riskiness, and/or other attributes of, acustomer, a transaction request, a credit request, and/or otherrequests. These rules are recorded in the platform provider's secureledger or record, which may or may not include a private blockchain. Forpurposes of discussion, the secure ledger or record will be referred toas a private blockchain, but any other secure ledger or record may beused instead of the private blockchain. These rules may be static ordynamic. In some examples, the rules may be based on proprietarytechnology, including machine-learning algorithms and/or artificialintelligence that may be influenced by time, location, geography,demographics, industry, device, identification, personally identifiableinformation, banking or financial information, transactionalinformation, behavioral information, social media, digital footprint,past customer, enrollment, or transactional behaviors, or other factorspertaining to a customer and/or an enrollment or transaction. Theassessments may take the form of an overall numeric score, a lettergrade (e.g., A, B, C, D, or F), an individual score per attribute, abinary (yes/no) decision, or other forms.

Referring to FIG. 7, for example, in step S1, Fuel Retailer “A,”Insurance Retailer “B,” and Grocery Retailer “C” provide information(e.g., customer and/or transaction information) to the platform provider100. In Step S2, the information from Step S1 is received, validated andrecorded in the platform provider's secure ledger or record. In Step S3the platform provider 100 receives a verification request from aparticipating enterprise network 101 or an outside enterprise network.In step S4, based on the information received in Step S1, the platformprovider 100 assesses the information provided and develops a scoring,value, and/or decision regarding the customer in general, thetransaction in general, or relative to one or more specific transactionattributes (e.g., amount of transaction, time/date of transaction,location of transaction, transaction velocities relative to expected“normal” patterns, etc.). For example, the platform provider 100 maygenerate an assessment of a probability (e.g., a percentage, a score, agrade, a range, a rating, a yes/no decision, or other suitable value)related to the credit worthiness, value, riskiness, and/or otherattributes of, a customer, a transaction request, a credit request,and/or other requests. In Step S3, each transaction request — whethercompleted or not—and other relevant information about the customer, isvalidated and recorded in the platform provider's private blockchain,fed into the platform provider's verification system, and the resultantassessment (or updates to past assessments) of the customer and/ortransaction is also validated and recorded in the platform provider'sprivate blockchain in real-time. In Step S6, the platform provider 100may offer access to its assessment decisions or scores to enterprisenetworks 101 within the common network 1000 or to enterprise networks103 outside of the common network 1000 (e.g., via an API). Theassessment decisions may be specific to an individual or aggregated bycustomer group (e.g., by particular company). The information providedmay include additional information including, but not limited to,reasons codes or other supporting data elements corresponding to theoverall assessment. The platform provider 100 may charge a fee for suchaccess to the requesting party. This fee may be a flat fee ordynamically calculated. Discounted or premium pricing may be offeredbased on factors including whether the requesting company is one of theenterprise networks 101 within the common network 1000, and/or how muchinformation/data the requesting party has supplied as data inputs to theplatform provider's private blockchain. The calculation of the fees,access to the results, and settlement of the amounts owed to each partyare validated and recorded in the platform provider's privateblockchain. The platform provider 100 may also offer a feedback loopsuch that subsequent activity is sent back to the common network 1000.This information is validated and recorded in the platform provider'sprivate blockchain and fed into the platform provider's verificationsystem for incorporation into subsequent assessments.

In some examples, Step S3 is optional and may be omitted (i.e., theplatform provider may carry out Step S4 without receiving a verificationrequest). In some examples, Step S2 may occur after Step S4, forexample, simultaneously with Step S5.

In Example 6, the platform provider may develop consumer credit and/ortransaction assessment scores and/or decisions based on informationcollected across the platform. The platform may allow other parties(participating or non-participating enterprise networks, creditagencies, etc.) to access/query the platform for scores and/ordecisions, and may charge a fee for such access. The fee may be staticor dynamic, and discounts/premiums may be applied based on volume orother factors. The system/process of Example 6 provides an enterprisenetwork with the platform provider's advantaged decision making system.High volume participants may be incentivized to provide data (e.g., themore data a party provides to the platform provider, the deeper thediscount may be for accessing the resultant scores). Moreover, bettertransaction and customer assessments result in better approvaldecisions/user experience (fewer false-negative declines) and decreasedinstances of fraud (lower fraud losses).

Example 5 describes how the platform provider may offer access toenrollment assessments, while Example 6 describes how the platformprovider may offer access to transaction assessments. In some examples,Examples 5 and 6 may be combined such that data from the enrollmentassessments informs the transactions assessments and vice versa. Inother examples, the methods/services described in Examples 5 and 6 maybe offered in aggregate (i.e., a combination of enrollment andtransaction verification services may be bundled and offered together toan enterprise network (participating or non-participating), creditbureau or other payments company). In even further examples, theplatform provider may use and apply the enrollment assessments and/ortransaction assessments for its own internal use and/or for otherplatform provider purposes (e.g., the platform provider may performenrollment and/or transaction assessments as part of its own paymentsplatform without disclosing or offering the assessments to anotherparty).

In each of Examples 5-6 discussed above, the use of the platformprovider's private blockchain allows for the platform provider tosecurely assess activities/behaviors within and across amulti-merchant/party network. The platform provider's unique role inmonitoring enrollment, transactional, and other activity within andacross companies/industries results in an advantaged ability toauthenticate and assess data for enrollment, fraud, risk, credit, andother purposes. The private blockchain may also link and track initialtransactions, scoring decisions, and customer behavior with subsequentdecisions, transactions, and actions. User/enrollment assessments andtransaction verification assessments can be made independently and/or inconjunction with each other. Machine learning/artificial intelligencecan be incorporated directly in the verification system and updatedusing information from the private blockchain. This allows for bettertracking of good and bad customers, and the value, credit worthiness,enrollment or transaction risk of customers to help minimize risk, lowerthe cost of transaction processing, lower fraud losses, etc. Companiesmay anonymously provide data to, and access information from, theprivate blockchain in a way that benefits all participants in the commonnetwork 1000, while also protecting each participant's proprietary dataand customer anonymity as desired for privacy purposes.

By allowing enterprise networks from the same industry or differentindustries to contribute customer information, and/or by allowingparticipating networks and/or outside networks to contribute customerinformation, the platform provider is able to assess a wider spectrum ofbehavior, consumer segments, and transactions. The increased samplesize, scope, and breath of contents in the compiled customer informationcreates a better result for decisions related to credit and fraudmonitoring.

Marketing Data Analytics Platforms

In another example, the platform provider 100 provides a marketing dataanalytics platform to the enterprise networks 101 in the common network1000. Using the platform, the platform provider 100 offers the customerinformation and/or information related to customer activity toparticipating enterprise networks 101 and/or use the information tofacilitate the targeting and/or distribution of marketing, advertising,messaging, loyalty or other activities to customer. All arrangements,activities, and dependent actions are verified, accounted for, andfacilitated by the platform provider's secure ledger or record.Particular examples of the setup and operation of the marketing dataanalytics platform will be described in the examples below.

EXAMPLE 7: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED MARKETING/ADVERTISINGDISTRIBUTION PLATFORM

In Example 7, the platform provider 100 has technology embedded in oneor more mobile applications or other computing devices. For example, thetechnology may be embedded through an API or other third-partyapplication. By embedding technology in a third-party application (e.g.,an application of one of the enterprise network), the platform providermay leverage the brand equity of a known enterprise network. In anotherexample, the platform provider 100 may have its own application or otherinterface that allows an enterprise network to access the secure ledgeror record or another enterprise network's information directly (giventhe appropriate permissions are obtained). The enterprise networks 101in the common network 1000 include Grocery Retailer “C” and SmartphoneMapping Company “D.” The term “retailer” is used as an example, but theenterprise networks 101 may include companies that are not retailers(e.g., consumer packaged goods companies, advertisers, technologyproviders, etc.). Referring to FIG. 8, in step S1, customers downloadand use the Smartphone Mapping Company “D” mobile application.Alternatively, the customers may download the platform provider's mobileapplication. In Step S2, the platform provider 100 collects informationabout customers and their behaviors (e.g., social media activity,articles and/or advertisements viewed, webpages visited, apps downloadedor used, goods or services viewed or purchased, the customer's location,places the customer visits, demographics, etc.) through its technologyin the application directly from the customer network 102, directly fromthe enterprise network 101, or from an API. In Step S3, the informationabout the customers and their behaviors are tracked, verified, andrecorded in the platform provider's secure ledger or record, which mayor may not include a private blockchain. For purposes of discussion, thesecure ledger or record will be referred to as a private blockchain, butany other secure ledger or record may be used instead of the privateblockchain. In some aspects, the recorded information is leveraged usingmachine-learning algorithms and/or artificial intelligence configured todetermine how/when a marketing message will be effective for a givencustomer or group of customers. In Step S4, based on the recordedcustomer behavior, the platform provider 100 may then send targetedmarketing/advertising messages on behalf of the Grocery Retailer “C”through the Smartphone Mapping Company “D” application via the customernetwork 102. For example, if that platform provider 100 determines thata customer is near his or her usual Grocery Retailer “C” and/orestablishes a pattern of when the customer may be likely to buygroceries, the platform provider 100 can send a marketing message and/orprompt a third party to send a marketing message to that customer inreal-time. In Step S5, the platform provider 100 can then track theresults (whether the advertisement was effective and resulted in thedesired customer action (e.g., a purchase)), assess the return oninvestment (ROI) and/or other metrics that track marketingeffectiveness, and settle the redeemed incentive across all parties inreal-time using the blockchain. The subsequent actual results can thenbe fed back into the platform provider's platform for use in futureassessments. Assessing the ROI may include assessing a probability(e.g., a percentage, a score, a grade, a range, a rating, or othersuitable value) that the targeted advertisement will result in thecustomer taking a predetermined action.

In Example 7, the platform provider may send marketing/advertising tocustomers at optimal times, at optimal places, and/or under otheroptimal conditions, based on data patterns observed by the platformprovider. For example, past purchase behaviors, geolocation, time/date,or other attributes may be used for targeting, and the platform providermay assess a return on investment if the advertisement is clicked orredeemed. Certain conventional systems do not allow for tracking suchdata patterns across networks, and are not able to optimize transmissionof content (e.g., marketing/advertising) accordingly. The featuresdescribed herein can provide for such tracking and optimizing by, forexample, leveraging the platform provider 100 to maintain a secureledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks 101 to theplatform provider 100. Benefits of the system/process described inExample 7 include more effective targeting, which may result in moresales and activity, the ability to link actions and advertisements, theability to better measure and/or increase a return on investment and/ormarketing effectiveness, and the ability to provide a better customerexperience by individualizing and/or optimizing the targeting of acustomer or a group of customers.

EXAMPLE 8: SECURE LEDGER OR RECORD BASED MARKETING DATA/ANALYTICS

The platform provider 100 manages a mobile application in which theplatform provider's technology is embedded. For example, the technologymay be embedded through an API or other third-party application. Byembedding technology in a third-party application (e.g., an applicationof one of the enterprise network), the platform provider may leveragethe brand equity of a known enterprise network. In another example, theplatform provider 100 may have its own application or other interfacethat allows an enterprise network to access the secure ledger or recordor another enterprise network's information directly (given theappropriate permissions are obtained). Referring to FIG. 9, in step S1,customers download and use the application (e.g., a third-partyapplication provided by an enterprise network). In Step S2, the platformprovider 100 collects information about the customers and theirbehaviors, which may include social media activity, articles and/oradvertisements viewed, webpages visited, apps downloaded or used, goodsor services viewed or purchased, the customer's location, places thecustomer visits, demographics, etc. via the customer network(s) 102. InStep S3, the information about the customers and their behaviors istracked, verified, and recorded in the platform provider's secure ledgeror record, which may or may not include a private blockchain. Forpurposes of discussion, the secure ledger or record will be referred toas a private blockchain, but any other secure ledger or record may beused instead of the private blockchain. In Step S4, the recordedinformation is leveraged using machine-learning algorithms and/orartificial intelligence configured to make proprietary assessments aboutthe potential impact of marketing campaigns or other communications on acustomer or group of customers. For example, a proprietary assessmentmay include determining the likelihood of the customer performing adesired action (e.g., opening and/or reading and/or taking anotherpredetermined action) upon receiving various types of marketing,incentives, or other communications. The propriety assessment mayinclude assessing a probability (e.g., a percentage, a score, a grade, arange, a rating, or other suitable value) that the targetedadvertisement or communication will result in the customer taking thedesired action. The platform provider 100 is uniquely positioned tocollect data and make assessments that individual merchants oradvertisers would not be able to do themselves. For example, based on acustomer's transactional behaviors, movements, demographics, socialmedia usage, and other information, the platform provider 100 is able touniquely determine if/how/when a particular customer may be moreresponsive to a specific type of in-app advertising. In Step S5, theplatform provider then provides a participating enterprise network 101or an outside enterprise network 103 with analytics to identify whichcustomers to target with a particular message, at what time, in whatplace, in what format, and/or under what other conditions, and theexpected effectiveness of such campaigns. In Step S6, the subsequentactual results are then fed back into the platform provider's platformfor use in future assessments. The platform provider may facilitate thedistribution of marketing messages directly or indirectly.

In Example 8, the platform provider may provide analytics/insights ontargeting such as which customers would be more or less receptive tomarketing messages based on various factors such as time, location, etc.For example, social media and other information collected by theplatform provider during the enrollment process may be used to assessthe likelihood of a customer opening/taking action on a pushnotification. Certain conventional systems do not allow for trackingsuch data patterns across networks, and are not able to optimizetransmission of content (e.g., marketing/advertising) accordingly. Thefeatures described herein can provide for such tracking and optimizingby, for example, leveraging the platform provider 100 to maintain asecure ledger, and by connecting multiple enterprise networks 101 to theplatform provider 100. Benefits of the system/process described inExample 8 include more effective targeting, which may result in moresales and activity, the ability to link actions and advertisements, theability to better measure and/or increase marketing effectiveness, andthe ability to provide a better customer experience by optimizing thetargeting of a customer or a group of customers.

In each of Examples 7 and 8 discussed above, the use of the platformprovider's private blockchain allows for the secure review andrecordation of customer information including customeractivity/behaviors within and across a multi-merchant/party network thatoffers new/better insights into customer behaviors. The platformprovider 100 is uniquely positioned to access and assess informationfrom a plurality of sources (companies), resulting in an advantagedability to determine marketing effectiveness. The platform provider 100may also facilitate the delivery of marketing, using its technology,based on this or other information. The platform provider may also embedmachine learning/artificial intelligence algorithms within theblockchain, or as a separate system in communication with theblockchain. This results in an improved ability to target/reachcustomers with marketing/messaging, and improved return on investmentfor marketing and advertising.

By allowing enterprise networks from the same industry or differentindustries to contribute customer information, and/or by allowingparticipating networks and/or outside networks to contribute customerinformation, the platform provider is able to assess a wider spectrum ofbehavior, consumer segments, and transactions. The increased samplesize, scope, and breath of contents in the compiled customer informationcreates a better result for decisions related to targeted advertisingand marketing.

In any of the examples described above that refer to a “mobileapplication,” one of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatanother interface may be used instead of a mobile application. In someexamples, the another interface may include, but is not limited to, abrowser on a computer, laptop, tablet, cellular phone or othercommunication device; a computer interface; a software application on adevice that is not a mobile device; etc.

In any of the examples described above, the platform provider may or maynot be directly compensated for facilitating the process. In someexamples, the platform provider may get compensated for its services inthe form of incentives or fees (e.g., a fixed fee, per transaction fee,value-based fee, etc.). Information about such platform providercompensation, may also be received, validated, and recorded in thesecure ledger or record.

In any of the examples described above, the platform provider may useartificial intelligence and/or machine learning and/or other algorithmsto increase the effectiveness of any decisions or assessments made inthe process.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement thevarious processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks,modules and circuits described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a programmedcomputer programmed with software stored in a non-transitory ortransitory memory to accomplish the tasks described above, a generalpurpose single- or multi-chip processor, a server, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logicdevice, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereofdesigned to perform the functions described herein. A general purposeprocessor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods maybe performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. Thememory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) may include oneor more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.)for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating thevarious processes, layers and modules described in the presentdisclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatilememory, and may include database components, object code components,script components, or any other type of information structure forsupporting the various activities and information structures describedin the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, thememory is communicably connected to the processor via a circuit andincludes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processor) the one ormore processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia having machine-executable instructions or data structures storedthereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that canbe accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or othermachine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable mediacan comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in theform of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which canbe accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or othermachine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order ofmethod steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depictedand described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unlessspecified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, onthe software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations of the described methods can be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps, and decision steps. One or more features of theexamples or implementations described above may be combined with one ormore features of another example or implementation described above.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of providing fraud protection comprising:providing a network including a platform provider comprising acentralized operating environment including a combination of hardware,software, and at least one communication device configured to receiveinformation from a plurality of enterprise networks belonging to a sameindustry or at least two different industries, each enterprise networkconfigured to independently communicate information to the platformprovider; receiving, at the platform provider, information regarding anenrollment request or a transaction request, the information includingtransaction information comprising location, amount, time, and/orcustomer information comprising a name, address, telephone number,credit card number, payment account number, social security number,driver's license or state identification number, IP address, SIM number,loyalty account information, credit history, past enrollment ortransaction history and/or bank account number associated with theenrollment request or the transaction request; assessing a probability,based on past behavior associated with the customer information, thatthe enrollment request or the transaction request is fraudulent orincludes other attributes that may be tracked by the platform provider;and recording the information and the probability in a secure ledger. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising providing at least oneenterprise network with the probability that the enrollment request orthe transaction request is fraudulent.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving additional information from the at least oneenterprise network that the enrollment request or the transactionrequest is fraudulent or includes other attributes trackable by theplatform provider; and recording the additional information in thesecure ledger.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein assessing theprobability is performed using artificial intelligence or machinelearning.